The federal program providing temporary deportation relief and work permits is a "first step" toward the ultimate goal of developing a permanent path to citizenship for undocumented childhood immigrants, Blumenthal said. Community leaders must now inform potential beneficiaries about the initiative, he said.

"So they can come out of the shadows," Blumenthal said. "So they know there is a safe haven, a reprieve from deportation. This is a major step forward."

The DREAM Act, which failed in the U.S. Senate in 2010, would have granted legal residency and an opportunity for citizenship to young immigrants who came to the United States as children and were enrolled in college or served in the military. Blumenthal said he will continue to fight for the legislation, and pledged to speak in support of Connecticut's undocumented workers on the floor of the Senate every week of the next Congressional session.

"I will be their voice," he said. "I will tell their story."

DACA is open to immigrants age 30 and younger who can prove they entered the U.S. before turning 16 and have lived in the country for five continuous years. Applicants who have committed certain crimes or are considered safety threats will not be eligible, according to federal guidelines.

Norwalk resident Junior Sierra, a 16-year-old Brien McMahon High School student, said he is anxious to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain a work permit. Sierra, who immigrated to the U.S. from Honduras at age 7, said he watched Obama announce the initiative on television this summer.

"Knowing I could get a work permit and relief from deportation brought tears to my eyes," he said. "This means being able to build a better life for me and my family. Deferred action will change my life for the better."

Obama unveiled DACA, which costs applicants $465 and does not offer an opportunity for citizenship, on June 15. Blumenthal said the initiative will allow millions of people living in the United States the opportunity to legally contribute to the economy and society.

"This is not an act of charity," he said Wednesday. "This is an act of national self interest."

DACA will stop deportations for eligible immigrants and provide deferred action status for two years, after which time the person can apply for renewal. Immigrants must be in school, have a high school diploma or the equivalent, or have been honorably discharged from the Coast Guard or U.S. military in order to qualify.

"On June 15, that's when this flood of hope came into our community," said Lucas Codognolla, lead coordinator for the advocacy group CT Students for a Dream.

Neighbors Link, an immigration center that opened on the West Side a year ago, will host a DACA application processing day on Aug. 25. Other immigration advocacy networks, including Somos CT and CT Students for a DREAM, will co-host the event. Undocumented immigrants eligible for DACA will receive step-by-step aid, including an attorney's review of their applications, Codognolla said.

Himes praised the DACA initiative, which he said will help roughly 2,300 undocumented immigrants in the Fourth Congressional district. He called for the passage of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform, which he said would make the U.S. more economically competitive and restore "basic human decency" to American immigration legislation.

"We're here to celebrate a tiny little step," Himes said. "We have always refreshed our vibrancy and vigor in this country by waves of immigrants who are by their very nature self-starters."

Blumenthal urged eligible immigrants to guard against scams as they move forward in the DACA application process.

"The application fee is $465 and you should not be paying any more than that charge," he said. "Be aware and wary. And I say that as a former (Connecticut) Attorney General."

Neighbors Link will provide DACA application processing assistance from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at its location on 75 Selleck St. For further information or to register for the event, call 203-674-8585, ext. 115.